Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, has described the August 6 military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers, as a national tragedy of immense proportions.

In an interview with Channel One TV, Prof Oquaye said he was initially reluctant to accept the news, hoping it was untrue.

“At first, I didn’t want to believe it, so I sought confirmation, only for it to be sadly verified. This is a huge blow to our nation. It is a loss to all those in public service who dedicate themselves to nation-building and governance, and a deep wound to our Armed Forces. Because it strikes at the very heart of our military, it is truly a disaster of great magnitude,” he stated.

Two of the victims, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and MP for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, were laid to rest on Sunday, August 10, in line with Islamic tradition.

Janazah prayers were offered at the Forecourt of the State House before the burial at the Military Cemetery in Accra.

President John Dramani Mahama later revealed that DNA analyses conducted in South Africa had confirmed the identities of all eight victims, whose bodies were severely burned.

The deceased also included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah; NADMO Deputy Director-General Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The government declared three days of national mourning, marked by a wreath-laying ceremony on August 7 and a memorial service on August 9. A state funeral is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the Z-9 helicopter departed Accra at 09:12 GMT on August 6, carrying three crew members and five passengers bound for Obuasi to attend an anti-illegal mining event.

Shortly after take-off, the aircraft went “off the radar,” triggering a search and rescue mission. The operation later confirmed that all on board had perished.